The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-11-05
4 STRANGE CASE.
BY C. H. THAYER.

One day having been persuaded to visit an insane asylum with some friends, my interest was keenly aroused by woman who sat alone in a corner, apparently absorbed in thought. She had the saddest face l ever saw, still handsome in spite of its terrible pallor.
 "Poor Minna was brought here fifteen years ago." the attendant told me, "raving mad, but she was one of the prettiest girls in the place. She is perfectly quiet now, although the physicians give no hope of an absolute cure"
 At this moment the patient looked up, and her eyes met mine. Beauti- tul they were, too, although faded like her face. She smiled, slightly, and made a motion for me to sit down beside her.
 "You need not be afraid" the at tendant whispered. "You will offend her if You refuse, and l will keep my eye upon her"
 took the seat indicated, and asked the sad-taced creature if there was anythiI z she wished to tell me.
 "IcS,' she replied, Il like you and l want You to know how badly l have b,cn treated. But first let me give you some advice. Never place your trust in man or woman, for you will surely be deceived, have been in this place so long, oh, so long and i'll the society of these crazy women. l was not like them when came here, but 1 am in constant fear that l shall bc, surrounded by so many lunatics; for the disease Is as contagious as scar let fever. Look at that attendant over there twisting her fingers con tinuaily ; she is madder than any of them, and l have told the doctor so over aid over again. But he is deaf in one ear, and cannot take all ill with the other. What was brought here for? Murder, they said. Dreadful? Well, yes, but people must die some time, you know. Leonard said she was flower, and who ever hesitates to break the stems of flowers?
 ''l suppose you would like to know who Leonaro is.. l will tell you the whole story, for it will not be long one. At nineteen l did not look much as do now. My cheeks were rosy and my eyes bright, and my nose wasn't turned up and ugly like yours" Gunatics and children are not always as complimentary as they might be.) But they always called me so odd did not care much for that, however, as 1 never wanted to be like girls generally, all cast in the same mould as dolls are, with star ing eyes and red cheeks. I always like to frighten the little squealing towards. l was not favorite, and 1 never had much to do with them. l used to sit in my own room, and write odes to melancholy and disappoint- ment. Some of the editors told me l had talent but lacked cheerfulness. l never was cheerful, one day up in the clouds all gayety and excitement, and the next down in the very depths of despair. had a sister, but we were not very fond of each other. She was fat and fair and giggling, careful never to do anything that fashion and etiquette pronounced not quite the thing. Bah! l was continually out raging propriety.
 ''One day Mary Chat was my sis ter's name) and a friend of hers was standing with me at a window, when gentleman passed on the other side of the street.
 "He looks like god,' exclaimed, as noticed his fine, manly figure and the splendid boise of his head.
 "'He lsn't god,' Lilly Duggan answered with simper, but he's the handsomest young gentleman in town.'
 'Handsome,' repeated, T don't care straw for mere beauty in man. but he looks as if he had the power to execute successfully whatever he may undertake.'
 "'One would think you were read ing that out of book,' Mary said You have fallen in love at first sight. haven't you?'
 "'No use, them was Lilly's laugh ing remark, 'he does ot like odd girls He is awfnlly particular, and admires young ladies who are modest and sweet and yielding, and all that
 "'Clinging vines, I suppose I re. joined, contemptuously. What is hi' name?'
 "sLeonard Ashton, and he is going to be at Mrs. Meade's fancy party, se you had better not wear that horric owl dress you were thinking of. l, would disgust him know.'
 "I am not going to wear it, said